Juneau residents to celebrate flag

"We're going to honor the flag, and celebrate the anniversary of its birth," said Jim Davis, past exalted ruler of the Juneau Elks Lodge.

The Elks will hold a Flag Day ceremony at noon under the Marine Park pavilion. Members will give a short talk about each of the eight flags that have flown throughout U.S. history.

June 14 is the 226th anniversary of the adoption of the U.S. flag by the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War. The flag was composed of 13 stars and 13 red and white stripes.

According to the Independence Hall Association in Philadelphia, the flag was preceded by a "rattlesnake flag" with a snake on red and white stripes and "Don't tread on me" written on the bottom. The U.S. Navy flew that flag, as well as a "liberty tree flag," with a pine tree and the words "an appeal to heaven" stitched above it. Replicas of both will be presented at the Elks Lodge ceremony.

At 4:30 Saturday afternoon, American Legion Post 25 will perform its annual flag-disposal ceremony at its Auke Bay lodge at 12480 Glacier Highway.

American Legion members will honor the flags before burning them in a ceremonial fire.

"It's a ceremonial thing rather than a protesting thing," said Bill Jacobi, the adjutant for the post. "We want to be very clear of that."

Those with flags to dispose of should contact Jim Pisa, chaplain of the post, at 789-1597. They also can bring flags directly to the ceremony, which should last about a half hour. A potluck supper will follow.